Restaurante Marea — Restaurant in Cartagena

Excellent food, nothing weird or challenging or pointless (some of the dishes are just upscale presentations of very basic Colombian mainstays), and a beautiful setting. The waiters were attentive but the kitchen and bar were a bit slow, and they ran out of Aperol. My burrata was perfect, I'm told the octopus was too. I couldn't finish the stewed beef (it's a lot of beef; casserole-soft but served as a slab larger than an average steak, on a bed of potato, guacamole and sour cream), but it was delicious. Everything is quite expensive; this is about as high-end as Colombia gets, but would be fair in any other international city. I refuse to go near the wine list, I know what the mark-up is, but the cocktails were strong and did the job nicely. I don't know if I would go again; it was a touch too noisy for me (there's no way around it; Americans, you are too loud), and would have been up to a third cheaper for equally excellent food - and probably more exotic - in one of the lovely Old City restaurants. But a...

There is only one question I came away thinking from my visit to Marea and that is why on earth does it not have a Michelin star? I have laughed a lot reading some of the other recent reviews, the service is faultless, the food is exquisite and the setting is wonderful. The wine list is impressive considering the fact if you try to buy wine anywhere else in Cartagena you get served what can only be described as piss. The starters were in touch with the local produce yet used some more European styles of cooking. The lionfish main was wonderful, I was dining with my friend who is a marine biologist and she was explaining the importance of eating lionfish in Colombia due to it being an invasive species not naturally occurring on the local reefs. Therefore once again fantastic to see somewhere first class acknowledging the local...

If negative was available I would check 1) menu provided was “being updated” therefore when ordering AND paying full price for a meal that was advertised with sides - did not receive.No prior explanation from wait staff. Hey give me a heads up that I’m not going to receive what the menu displays so I can leave..Example..Lobster with chorizo and risotto .. only received the lobster… no chorizo no risotto. 2) ordered grill octopus that was to be served with asparagus..no asparagus- charged extra. When speaking with the “manager” he apologized but explained the bill could not be changed. ?? So you charge full price for a dish you advertised yet half the dish arrives and yet the customer pays for entire dish although half was served SHAME ON YOU!! Customer beware..incredibly...